04/05/2025
Today let’s contemplate that time when our faith finally moves into its maturity, and we leave the childlike care of our Lord. Let’s focus on leaving the spiritual nursery, which is our earthly church, and how we will begin to test our spiritual wings within the world. Are we ready for what lies ahead? Is our faith strong enough to become real and not just a theory or vapor? This time of maturing came for the disciples of Christ, and when it did, Jesus told them that they would be scattered. The moment of truth had come.
“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”
John 16:32 KJV
Just as with our own children, the time had come when all of the teaching and parenting of Jesus had reached its fullness, and they were ready to venture out to where it would be put to the test. This is the moment when a child that has been raised so carefully must begin using the lessons they were taught. This is the moment when the theory, that has been their faith, becomes real and is no longer practice. This is what is about to occur in the spiritual lives of the disciples.
So, even as it is with our children, so it is with us in our faith, but when our young men and women leave us and enter the world for the first time and begin to make their way, we don’t just abandon them. Our counsel remains available to them, and it is our heartfelt desire that they will continue to seek out our wisdom. This is true with God as well. Jesus asked the Father to send a comforter to help us. Then, as additional reassurance, He promised to come to us Himself. Listen…
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
John 14:16-18 KJV
So we are not meant to be isolated from the world, but instead it becomes our workplace in which we are to take those things we have learned at the feet of Jesus, and in God’s Holy Word, and begin to put them to good use. In this there will be suffering, tribulation, and every form of challenge, yet we will find that we are well equipped to face them. We will not be tempted beyond our ability to withstand, nor suffer more than we can bear.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
Every once in a while, a worldly philosopher gets it right, and this was true of Friedrich Nietzsche as well when he said "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Spiritually speaking the stakes are high and if we abandon God in the hardships of the world then we too will surely suffer a spiritual death, but if we lean not on our own understanding and we allow God to direct our paths, then we will receive the strength of the Lord and find peace, joy, and eternity with Him.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 KJV
We began our time of devotion this morning in John 16:32 and now we are concluding it with the very next verse... We have learned that we will be instructed, separated, have the Lord with us, and face tribulation, but we also learn that we should continue to be of good cheer... because we are well prepared in scripture, and in Christ.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
My mother had a favorite saying and she repeated it to me just before I left my father's house... "Remember whose child you are!" In all my years I have sought to live my life in a way that would make my parents proud of me, and my mother's words have continued to be my guide to this very day. This is equally true in how I live my life of faith to please and make proud my Heavenly Father and to always "remember whose spiritual child I am." I do this as I face the world and all of its snares and temptations. My desire is to please my Heavenly Father just as Jesus did.
“and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:17 ESV
Did your earthly mother or father give you this same advice when you left home? If not, then your Heavenly Father most certainly will. He will call you His child, and then remind you to glorify Him in all you do…
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
1 John 3:1
And…
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for calling me your child and although you are a Spirit and I walk this world in physical separation, I know that you are with me always. I pray that you will strengthen me through your Word and with the foundation it has provided me in life. Whenever I leave the church doors, give me the faith to face all temptation and the strength to endure the suffering and challenges that test me in the world. I thank you for your Holy Spirit who comforts me, and the visits from your son Jesus Christ who reminds me always... whose son I am. In your sight let me remain a joy to you, in your arms let me always be welcome, and in your counsel let me forever find wisdom, truth, joy, peace, and comfort. Holy Father, you are my strength and my shield against all harm and evil. In you is my hope and desire. As I walk this world filled with danger and many trials, let me lean on you and always remember where my home is, and whose child I am. I pray Abba, that I will not disappoint you in my life, and will glorify you always… Amen!
“5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 ESV
Rich Forbes